Ok have just bought a new gadget which could help people it is JML I got it for 5.00 and it from robert dyars it heat seals plastic packets.

Also resealable plastic zip bags

The idea is for example with cheese you could grate it with a food processor much easier! or for example is your away at uni or your family are not areound to help get them to grate cheese for you and then have it portioned into say 50g packets.

You could do this with any ingredient and it will be all ready for cooking.

The air tight seals keep things fresh so the food won'tgo bad (if telling is a problem for you there are tabs that check freshness) you could have sliced chhese to.

A few tips which I have found useful when cooking and thought others might find useful too:

1. When cutting vegetables etc., take the knife and chopping board to a suitable table and sit at it so that you don't have to co-ordinate so much of your body as you do when you are standing. You can also rest your elbows on the table for extra stability.

2. If you live on your own and get tired easily, put together a vegetable casserole which you can cook in the oven, and then store in the fridge to be eaten throughout the week. Once first cooked, this can be heated in the microwave. Take care that the casserole has a good lid or is not too full though, as hot liquid is very bad. A good pair of oven gloves is essential! I prefer ones with thumbs.

If you find a large casserole dish too heavy, use two smaller heat proof dishes.

Recipe:

This is a guide and can be varied according to taste and vegetable availability

add vegetable stock until the vegetables are just covered (vegetable bouillon is good)

cook on a low heat (150 - 180 C) for 1 h 30 mins to 2 hrs. As long as the casserole doesn't dry out it doesn't matter if this varies a bit.

after 30 minutes of cooking add a heaped teaspoon of cornflour in sufficient cold water to turn it into a paste like milk

garlic, dried herbs, salt and pepper can be added to taste.

Once cooked the casserole should be allowed to cool, and then stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Eat with bread, rice or pasta. Meat can be added if reheating in the oven, in which case reheating time needs to be 30 -45 minutes. If reheating in the microwave, 3-4 minutes is usually sufficient.

If you don't like taking hot things out of the oven, invite someone round for dinner and cook this, then ask them to remove it from the oven! I often do this if I'm having a bad day.

1. Instead of buying and chopping fresh veg i buy a bag of mixed frozen veg. (usually stir-fry veg at the moment just coz i like it). It comes already chopped and is easier. Also you can get a variety of lots of different veg in one bag.

2. If you get cheese, just buy a bag of grated cheese instead of a block. Again you dont need to grate it then. its done for you. it saves time and washing up too.

3. As mentioned earlier. get out the things you need. shift them after you've done then you know they've gone in.

4. When using the hob, check you have the right one switched on. (Many a time i've been stood for several minutes wondering why my pan is doing absolutely nothing yet its switched on full).

5. Wash up as you go. This is just personal preference, but the kitchen gets so messy if i dont, and its just easier most times.

Ready grated cheese is usually more expensive and of a lower quality than ordinary cheese.

You can buy electric graters which grate cheese (an other things) for you. They may seem expensive, but they will actually save money in the long run. This is easier than using ordinary graters. However, they usually do make a loud noise. Wear earplugs if this is a problem.

Make sure that if someone is giving you instructions, that they are clear and correct (and that the person who is giving them to you knows what they are saying - mum just told me to put the milk and egg mixture in the pan without realising it. She ment to tell me to put the mixture in the pan into the pie dish)